BEUKEMA: Do you have your fishing license renewed?

For some, the sight of a skunk signals springs. Others say it’s the return of blackbirds hanging on the tips of reeds as they call to prospective mates.

Anglers know its spring or at least the beginning of a new year when it becomes time to renew that fishing license. Like clockwork, fishing license expire every year at the end of March.

When the fishing show was held at the Palace that was my signal to get a new license. And the Oakland County Sportfishing Club had a booth set up to issue licenses. They received a small stipend for the state for their services, so it was a win situation for many of us to renew at the show.

Just so you know that spring brings with it a new outlook on the months ahead, it also signals a warning that some things like new licenses are due for the current year.

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Don’t be the one caught on a boat or pier having good day fishing when a CO comes up and asks to see your license. What stated out as a fun day can turn into an o-oh moment quickly.

The Pure Fishing Support staff will be in Michigan to show off new baits and other equipment some of which has been under testing for some time only to be trotted out and used at this past Bassmasters Classic.

You’ll be able to see how new equipment works, what went into the testing, and talk to the factory people about these products.

This is Berkley and Pure Fishing’s way of getting the public excited about fishing and getting kids involved in the sport through interactive activities.

The 60-foot trailer will provide fun and fishing education for all levels and skill experience.

The trailer has new updated videos; interactive demos and the popular knot tying seminars to help ensure attendees do not lose that fish of a lifetime.

There are contests and product demonstrations all under the tent. The big screen videos help onlookers experience the adventure with Berkley and racks are filled with the latest products.

The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to help answer any questions about our innovative products.

The next stop will April 12-14 at Cabela’s in Dundee, MI.

Fishmich.com is a new, statewide website devoted to getting the best, most updated and reliable information to fisherman.

Presently, the web site is seeking fishing pro staff from all 83 counties in Michigan. Currently there are 14 who are registered. With 6,000 lakes in the state, the site want to include information like lake depths, species, launch info and the availability of restaurants, lodging and bait shops to lakes.

The Michigan based website is nominating one applicant from each county as the fishing authority in that area. Pro Staffers will be passionate about fishing and knowledgeable of the resources in that specific county

These pro staff help provide information for their county on what is currently happening.

To join the pro staff visit fishmich.com, then go to the forum main page and follow the prompts.

Information will be available for any kind of fishing including fly fishing, trolling panfishing. An interactive site people are welcome to submit information on any lake.

“Our goal is to gather a community of fishermen and women that enjoy sharing reports, tips and advice with others,” said FishMich.com creator, Karl Hitchcock. “Hopefully this will become one centralized site to find any resources needed before heading out on a fishing trip.”

Spring weather has some wildlife waking from hibernation, looking around for food and in some cases a mate.

Bears are one of the animals starting to emerge from their dens. Since bears typically mate in June or July, food is the primary cause for the increase in bear activity during the spring.

“At this time of year, bears are looking for food,” said DNR bear and furbearer specialist Adam Bump. “They are hungry after spending months in their dens, and while we might not think of bird feeders and trash cans as food sources, a hungry bear certainly may.”

Birdseed is especially attractive to bears because of its high fat content and easy accessibility. Once bird feeders are discovered, bears will keep coming back until the seed is gone or the feeders have been removed.

“Once the woods green up, bears tend to move on to find more natural sources of food, as long as they haven’t become habituated to the birdseed or garbage cans,” Bump said.

Anyone who is experiencing problems with nuisance bears and has taken the appropriate action to remove food sources for a period of two to three weeks, but has not seen results, should contact the nearest DNR office and speak with a wildlife biologist or technician for further assistance.

For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/bear.

Before heading out for that first fishing trip of the new season check to be sure your license is current.

Fishing licenses expire March 31 every year. Head to the nearest authorized licensing dealer/agent and get yours renewed.

Fishing license fees fund a variety of activities, including fish management work on Michigan’s waters, habitat rehabilitation and protection, fish stocking, information distribution, education and outreach efforts to anglers and the public, and much more.

Fisheries Division does not receive any general funds and depends on angler fees, through license sales and federal excise tax dollars for fishing tackle, to manage Michigan’s fisheries.

The purchase of a fishing license, even for someone who does not plan to fish, can make a big difference to the future health of Michigan’s prized waters and fisheries.

For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/fishing.

Roger Beukema writes a weekly outdoors column for Journal Register Newspapers. Email him at dutchbeukema@comcast.net and read his blog at theoaklandpress.com.